Brake Controller Does Not Detect Trailer when Breakaway System is Connected
Published 03/21/2014
Question:
when I hook the breakaway switch blue wire up to the electric brake circuit the ford truck will no longer recognize the trailer as being connected. When I remove that switch wire it shows its connected?
asked by: Nick
Expert Reply:
The most common issue with breakaway systems occurs because of the wiring. They do not always make it as straight forward as it could be. Starting from the trailer side connector the brake output wire will go to the brakes and to the breakaway switch. The other wire from the switch will go to the brake output wire on the breakaway battery.
The power wire to charge the breakaway battery will connect to the 12 volt wire from the trailer connector. And the battery ground wire should be grounded to the trailer connector ground and it would not hurt to have it also grounded to the trailer frame.
Any corrosion or a connection not in the right place could cause problems. If the pin is pulled from the switch make sure it is in place. You may try wiring it up independently of the junction box you are using to see it the junction box is causing the issue.
You may just need to reset the controller by unplugging the controller then plugging it back in after 15 minutes. Also, for the sake of testing you can connect a magnet directly to the brake output circuit on the trailer side connector to bypass the break away system. If it works with the controller like it is supposed to then you know the issue is with the break away system or its wiring.
